Process of preparing 11 beta-hydroxy steroids



PROCESS or PREPARING 11 -HYDRoXr STEROIDS {David Taub, Metuchen, Robert D. Hoffsomnier, Rahway, and Norman L. Wendler, Summit, N.J., assignors to Merck & Co., Inc., Railway, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey t No Drawing. Application September 3, 1952i Serial No. 758,698

8 Claims. (Cl. 260-23955) This invention relates to anirnproved process for the preparation of llfi-hydroxy cortical steriods and is more particularly concerned with the production of 17-20,20- 2l-bismethylenedioxy-3-leeto-11,8-hydroxy steroids of the unsaturated pregnane series; l7-2'0,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-l1fi-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3-one and 17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy 11fi-hydroxy1,4-pregnadiene-3-one and other novel intermediates formed in this process.

The present process comprises reducing the 3 and 11- keto groups in a 17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-3,1l-diketo steroid of the 4-pregnene or the 1,4-pregnadiene series, and'subsequently selectively oxidizing the formed 3-hydroxy group to a 3-keto group, thereby producing the corresponding 17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-l lfl-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3-one or the 17-2Q,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-1 1 fl-hydroxy- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-3 -one.

The present starting compounds, 17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-3,11-diketo steroids of the unsaturated pregnane series, particularly l7-20,2 -2l-bismethylenedioxy- 4-pregnene 3,11 dione, 17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy- 1,4-pregnadiene 3,11 dione, 16-methyl-17-20,20-2l-bismeth'ylene-dioxy 4 pregnene3,l1- dione, 16 frnethy l-l7- 20,20-21 bismethylenedioxy 1,4-pregnadiene-f3-,1l-dione, and the corresponding 4-pregnene and 1,4-pregnadiene compounds containing additional methyl substituents attached, for example, to the2 or the 6 positions, are conveniently prepared by contacting the corresponding 17a,2l-dihydroxy-3,l1,20-triketo steroid with formaldehyde in the presence of an acid to form the corresponding 17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy 3,11 diketo steroid. The preparation of the starting materials of our invention is shown in greater detail in Preparations 1 and 2 :starting in column 4, line 21.

It was previously known to chemists skilled in the steroid art that the ll-keto group in a 3-oxygenated-17,21- -dihydroxy-4-pregnene-11,20-dione could be reduced by first suitably protecting the 3 and ZO-ketone groupings by formation of the corresponding 3,20-bissemicarbazone,

reducing the ll-keto group with an alkali metal borohydride and subsequently regenerating the 3,20-diketone by hydrolysis with a strong acid. An alternative method, although not a preferable one, was to first form the 3,20- bisethylenedioxy derivatives of a 17,21-dihydroxy-4-pregne'se-3,11,20-trione, reduce the ll-keto groupin said bis- ;ethylenedioxy compound with lithium aluminum hydride and subsequently regenerate the 3 and the ZO-ketone groupings by hydrolysis with a solution of a strong acid.

' It has been suggested that in order to reduce the ll-keto methyl-1 1 8,17 a,21-trihydroxy steroid be formed by treatment of the reduced bissemicarbazone with an acid; Unfortunately, this process, when employed in the prepara- 'tion of certain llfl-hydroxy steroids such as llp-hygroup, results in extensive elimination of the 17-hydroxyl group and a consequent poor yield of final product. M

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel process for the production of 3-oxygenat'ed-17- 20,20-2 l-bismethylenedioxy-l 1fi-hydroxysteroids of the unsaturated pregnane series: It is a further objectof this invention to provide an improved process for the conversion of the ll-keto; group into the ll s-hydroxy group in steroids having a dihydroxy acetone sidechain at C 17 in high yield. Another object is the provision of novel steroid intermediates formed in the operation of this process. Another more specific object is the provision ofga novel process for the production of hydrocortisone, prednisolone, l-methyl hydrocortisone, 16-methyl-predni' solone, and other compounds containing additional methyl substituents as, for example, at positions 2 and 60f the above enumerated compounds. For example, 16/3-methyl l7-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-4=pregnene-3,1l dione, is treated with a solution of lithium aluminum hydride to' produce lGB-meth-yl 17-20,20-21 bismethylenedioxy- 3,1lfl-dihydroxy-4-pregnene, which latter compound is then treated with activated manganese dioxide to form 165 methyl-17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-l LB-hydroxy- 4-pregnene-3-one. This compound is then further treated witha solution of'an acid to regenerate the cortical sidechain and form 16fi-methyl-1 1/3,17,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dion e.

The starting compounds of the present application are 17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione or 17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,11- dione compounds. These steroids may have substituents such as hydroxy, keto, halo, or lower alkyl at other positions of the condensed ring nucleus, as, for-instance, at positions 2, 6, 7, 9, 1 2, or 16. In addition to the double bond or bonds included in the Aring of the starting compounds there may be one or more additional double bonds attached, for example, to carbon atoms 7, 11-, or 14. Some representative examples of steroids made'by the method of our invention from the corresponding dione are r I Q 1 1B, l7a,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3 ,20-dione;

11,9,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-l,4 pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione; 16u-methy1-11 8,17m,21-trihydrox -4-pregnene-3,20-di0ne;

-droxy-16p-methyl steroids containing also a17a-hydroxyl 16oz methyl-11B,17:1,2l-trihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,2O-

dione;

methyl-11B,17a,21-trihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-

Regarded in certain of its broader aspects, the present invention comprises reducing both the 3 and ll-keto substituents in a 17-20,2Q-21-bismethylenedioxy-3,1l-diketo steroid of the 4- pregnene or the 1,4-pregnadiene series to form the correspondinglll ,B-dihydroxy steroid,

and selectively oxidizing the 3-hydroxy group with activated manganese dioxide to form the corresponding.

17-20,20-21 bismethylenedioxy-l1,8-hydrox -3-keto steroid of the 4-pregnene or the 1,4-pregnadiene series.

In carrying out the first step of our novel process the l71-20,20-2lbismethylenedioxy 3,11 diketo steroids-is I 2,935,511 Patented May 3, 1960 treated with a solution or a suspension of a metal hydride reducing agent to produce a novel 17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-3,1lfi-dihydroxy steroid and at least one double bond included in the A-ring. Thus, for example, the above enumerated starting materials are converted by this reduction treatment to the novel 3,11 p-dihydroxy steroids,

17-20,20-21 bismethylenedioxy 3,115 dihydroxy-4- pregnene;

I .i7-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy 3,115 dihydroxy 1,4-

i2,16a-dimethyl-17-20,20-21 bisrnethylenedioxy 3,115-

dihydroxy-4-pregnene;

2,16fl-dimethyl-17-20,20-21 bismethylenedioxy 3,115-

dihydroxy-4-pregnene; 2,16B-dirnethyl-l7-20,20-21 bismethylenedioxy 3,116- dihydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene; and 6,16fl-dimethyl-17-20,20-21 bismethylenedioxy 3,11,8-

dihydroxy-4-pregnene.

The process is carried out by mixing the 17-20,20-21- bismethylenedioxy-3,1l-diketo steroid, using either order of addition, with at least a theoretical amount of metal hydride reducing agent such as, for example, lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, or lithium borohydride in an organic solvent which is non-reactive under the reaction conditions, at a temperature below about 120 C. preferably between about and 20 moles of reducing agent per mole of starting steroid. The time for the reaction is not critical and may be varied between about one hour and up to about 24 hours. The length of time is dependent, of course, on the solvent, the temperature, and the particular reducing agent employed. The excess non-reacted reducing agent is then destroyed in the usual manner, preferably by the addition of an ice and water mixture or by the addition of a solution of a dilute acid and the resulting 17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-3,11;3-dihydroxy steroid separated from the reaction mixture by conventional methods such as filtration or extraction. The solvent used is generally one which is non-reactive under the reaction conditions and for this purpose there are a number which are suitable such as, lfiil' example, ether, benzene, tetrahydrofuran, and the In a preferred embodiment of this reduction process, a solution of l6p-methyl-17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy- 4-pregnene-3,l1-dione in tetrahydrofuran is contacted, under nitrogen, with an excess of lithium aluminum hydride. The mixture is stirred and refluxed for about 2 hours. Following the reaction, the mixture is cooled and the excess reducing agent destroyed by the addition of ethyl acetate and the product recovered by extraction with ethyl acetate. After drying and removing the solvent by evaporation, there remains a residue comprising lofl-methyl-17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy 3,113 dihydroxy-4-pregnene.

- In carrying out the selective oxidation process step, of

. the present invention, the selected 17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-3,11;8-dihydroxy steroid, dissolved or suspended in an organic solvent such as acetone, ethyl acetate, tctrahydrofuran, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and benzene, with acetone being preferred, is mixed with manganese dioxide in a weight ratio of about 5 to 20 "steroid is not critical, larger or smaller the portion of manganese dioxide while being operative, however are of no advantage.

The temperature range is desirably between about 10 and C. with a range between about 10 and 35 C. being preferred. In the preferred embodiment of the reaction, the reaction mixture is stirred at about 25 overnight (16 hours). The manganese dioxide used in the process is preferably activated according to the method of Attenburrow et al. El. Chem. Soc. 1904 After the reaction is terminated, the product is isolated by conventional procedures, suitably the reaction mixture is filtered to remove the oxides of manganese, the filtrate containing the product is evaporated to remove the solvent, and the residual product is subjected to fractionation procedures such as recrystallization, extractions, and chromatography as described more fully in the examples. Utilizing this procedure and the 3,1118- dihydroxy steroids enumerated above, there are obtained the corresponding steroids in which the 3-hydroxy group has been selectively converted to a 3-keto group.

PREPARATION 1 16B-methyl-1 7-20,20-21-bismethylenedi0xy-4- pregnene-3J1-dione To a stirred solution of 7.43 g. of 16;8-methyl-l7a,2ldihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione in 365 ml. of methylene chloride at 25 C. was added a solution, pre-mixed at 0 C., of 110 ml. of low methanol content formaldehyde (37% aqueous solution) and 110 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The reaction mixture was stirred for 20 hours, followed by the addition of 960 ml. of water. The organic layer containing the product is separated and the aqueous layer extracted with three 200 ml. portions of methylene chloride to recover any product present in the water layer. The methylene chloride extracts were combined, washed successively with 200 m1. of water, excess aqueous potassium bicarbonate solution and twice more with 200 ml. portions of water. The washed extract of product is dried and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residue comprising 16 8-methyl- 17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione was triturated with ether to yield good crystalline product, M.P. 220-247" C.; dec.

In similar manner l6a-methyl-17a,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11-20-trione is converted to l6a-methyl-17-20,20- 21-bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione, and 1701,21- dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione to 17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,l l-dione.

PREPARATION 2 l6p-methyl-1 7-2 0,20-21 -bismethylenedioxy-1 ,4-

pregnadiene-3,11-dione To a stirred solution of 1.15 g. of IGfl-methyl- 17a,21-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione in 60 ml, of methylene chloride was added a cooled, pre-mixed solution of 17 ml. of 37% aqueous formaldehyde (low reaction mixture, the organic layer containing the product separated, and the aqueous layer back-extracted three nesium sulfate.

times with methylene chloride. The combined organic extract was washed with excess aqueous 5% potassium bicarbonate solution and with water and dried over mag- The solvent was removed from the product containing the extract by evaporation in vacuo to yield a residue of 16 8-methyl-17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,1l-dione which was crystal- 'lized from acetone-ether, M.P. 203-206 C.;

- .sidered' as limiting.

minutes) the reaction mixture was stirred at the reflux temperature for 100 minutes. The reaction mixture'was cooled to C. and treated cautiously with 50 ml. of ethyl acetate to destroy any excess lithium aluminum hydride present.

aqueous sodium sulfate solution was added to efiect pre cipitation of the inorganic salts present, following which, 100 g. of anhydrous magnesium sulfate was added to remove any water present in the mixture. The resulting ,rnixture was filtered and the inorganic precipitate washed thoroughly on the filter with ethyl acetate to remove any occluded steroid, the washings and filtrate combined and evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give 16,B-'mcthyl-17- 20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy 3,11 dihydroxy 7 4 pregnene,-M.P. 237-246" C.

B. SELECTIVE OXIDATION STEP "filter pad washed thoroughly with acetone to remove occl'udedsteroid and the combined filtrate and washings:

containing the product evaporated to dryness in vacuo,

The residual material aflorded on trituration with ether crystalline l6B-methyl-17-20,20 21 bismethylenedioxy- 1lB-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3-one. Recrystallization from acetone ether yielded material melting at 226242 C.,

EXAMPLE 2 16dt-methyl-17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-11fihydroxy-4-pregnene-3-0ne In the manner given in Example 1, l6a-metl1yl-l7- 29,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione is reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to form 160:- methyl 17 20,20 21 bismethylenedioxy 3,11 3 dihydroxy-4-pregnene, the crude product recovered from the reduction dissolved in acetone and oxidized with activated manganese dioxide to give 16oz-methyl-1'l-20,20-21- bismethylenedioxy-1 l fl-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3-one.

EXAMPLE 3 1720,20-21-bismethy[enedi0xy-115-hydr0xy-4- pregnene-3-One In the manner given in Example 1, 17-20,2021bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione is reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to form 17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-S,l1 3-dihydroxy-4-pregnene and the crude prod-uct recovered from the reduction step dissolved in iiace'tone and-oxidized with activated manganese dioxide Approximately 100 ml. of saturatedto give 17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-llp-hydroxy-dpregnene-3-one.

7 EXAMPLE 4 2,16fl-dimethyl-1 7-20,20-21-bismethylenedi0xy-11flhydroxy-4-preg nene-3-one In the manner given in Example 1, 2,16fl-dimethyl-17- 20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione is reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to form 2,16Q- dimethyl-17-20,20-21 bismethylenedioxy 3,11 8 dihydroxy-4-pregnene and the crude recovered product dissolved in acetone and oxidized with activated manganese dioxide to give 2,l6B-dimethyl-17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-l 1,8-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3-one.

EXAMPLE 5 6,16,6-dimethyl-1 7-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-I1p hydroxy-4-pregnene-3-on'e I In the manner given in Example 1, 6,16B-dimethyl- 17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,11 dione is reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to form 2,1613- dimethyl-17-20,20-21 bismethylenedioxy 3,115 dihydroxy-4-pregnene, and the crude recovered product dissolved in acetone and oxidized with activated manganese dioxide to form 2,1GB-dimethyl-l7-20,20-21bismethylenedioxy-l 1 B-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3-one.

' EXAMPLE 6 I 16,8-m ethyl-1 7-20.20-21-bismethylenedi0xy-11B- hydroxy-J,4-prgnadiene-3-0ne A. REDUCTION STEP A solution of 100 mg. of 1fi e-methyl-17-2o,20-21-bis- "nrethylenedioxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,1l dione in 10 ml. of

dry tetrahydrofuran was added to a stirred solution of 100 mg. of lithium aluminum hydride in 50 ml. of tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was refluxed, under nitrogen, for 90 minutes. The reaction mixture was then cooled and 1 ml. of ethyl acetate was added to destroy the excess lithium aluminum hydride. To the reaction mixture was then added 1 ml. of saturated aqueous sodium sulfate solution to precipitate any inorganic salts present and 2 g. of anhydrous magnesium sulfate to remove traces of moisture.

The mixture was filtered to remove the precipitated inorganic salts, the inorganic precipitate washed ,with ethyl acetate to dissolve any occluded steroid and the filtrate and washings combined and evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give a residue comprising 16,8-methyl-17-20, 20 21 bismethylenedioxy 3,115 dihydroxy 1,4- pregnadiene.

B. SELECTIVE OXIDATION STEP The entire crude product from Part A of this example i is dissolved in 10 ml. of acetone and 5 ml. of benzene,

EXAMPLE 7 v lsa-mezh l-i7-20,2o-21tamezh zene ioxyuzphydroxyJ,4-pregnadiene-3-0ne g I In the manner given in Example 6, l6a-methyl-l7-20, 2'0-2l-bismethylenedioxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,1l-dione is reduced with lithium aluminum hydride and the recovered crude loot-methyl-17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-3,1113- dihydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene was oxidized with activated manganese dioxide to give 16u-methyl 17 20,20-21-bis- :methylenedioxy-l lfi-hydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3-one.

' following procedure:

resulting j 11 one 3,20-diacetate is hydrolyzed with methanolic nane-17a,21- diol-3,11,20-trione 2l-acetate.

ExAMPLa 8 I7-20,20-2I-bismethylenedioxy-11/3-hydroxy-1,4-

- pregnadiene-3-one In the manner given in Example 6, 1720,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,1l-dione is reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to form 17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-3,1lfl-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene and the crude product thus obtained is oxidized with activated manganese dioxide to give 17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy- 1 l B-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3-one.

EXAMPLE 9 6,16fi-dimethyl-17-20.20-21-bismethylenedi0xy-11B- hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3-one In the manner given in Example 6, 6,16B-dimethyl-17- 20,20-2l-bisrnethylenedioxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,ll-dione is reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to form 6,165- dimethyl 17 20,20 21 bismethylenedioxy 3,1118 dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene and the crude product dissolved in acetone and oxidized with activated manganese dioxide to form 6,16fi-dimethyl-17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy- 1 1B-hydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3-one.

EXAMPLE 10 I7-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-Ilp-hydroxy- I 4-pregnen-3-0ne To a solution of 150 mg. of 17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene 3,1l-dione compound in 10 ml. of tetrahydrofuran was added 200 mg. of sodium borohydride and 2 ml; of water. The mixture was stirred and refluxed for about hours. The entire reaction mixture was then cooled, 1 ml. of acetic acid in 2 ml. of water was added to destroy the excess reducing agent and a portion of the solvent removed from the reaction mixture by concentrapregnene-3 -one.

The 16u-methyl-l 1-oxygenated-4-pregnene-170:,2 l-diol- 3,20-dione used as starting materials in this process are conveniently prepared starting with the known 16-pregnene-Sa-ol-ILZO-dione 3-acetate in accordance with the 16-pregnene-3a-ol-11,20-dione 3- acetate is reacted with methyl magnesium iodide in the presence of cuprous chloride thereby forming l6u-methylpregnane-3a-ol-l1,20-dione 3-acetate, which is reacted with aqueous methanolic hydrochloric acid to form 16amethyl-pregnane-la-ol-l1,20-dione. The latter compound is reacted with acetic anhydride in the presence of ptoluene sulfonic acid catalyst to form a mixture of enol acetates diol-ll-one 3,20-diacetate; this mixture, after chromatographic purification to remove any unchanged startcontaining 16a-methyl-17,20-pregnene-3a,20-

ing material, is reacted with perbenzoic acid and the 16a-methyl-17a,20-epoxypregnane-3a,20-diolpotassium bicarbonate to produce 16a-methy-1-pregnane- The latter compound is reacted with bromine'in chloroform to form 21-bromo- 16a-methyl-pregnane-3a,l7adiol-11,20-dione which is converted without isolation to l6a-methyl-pregnane-3a, l7a,21-triol-1l,20-dione ZI-ac'etate by reaction with anhydrous potassium acetate;'this compound is reacted with chromium trioxide in pyridine to form 16a-methyl-preg- The 160:- methyl-pregnane-170:,21-di0l-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate is reacted with bromine in glacial acetic acid-chloroform to produce 4-bromo-l6u-methyl-pregnane-17e,21-diol-3,11,

-trioue, which is then reacted with semicarbazide to 8 form 16a-methyl-4-pregnene-l7a,21-diol-3,11,20-ti'ione 3,20-bissemicarbazone 2l-acetate.

The 16a-methyl-4-pregnene-17,21-diol-3,11,20-trione- 3,20-bissernicarbazone 21-acetate is reacted with potassium bicarbonate or potassium hydroxide in aqueous methanol to form 16u-methyl-4-pregnene-17a,21-dio1-3,11,20-trione- 3,20-bissemicarbazone which is then hydrolyzed under acid conditions to produce 16a-methyl-4-pregnene-l70:,21- diol-3,11,20-trione 2l-free alcohol. This 16m-methyl-17a, 21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione is then contacted with a growing culture of Bacillus sphaericus (ATIC- 4525) microorganisms to form 16a-methyl-17a,2l-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione. These procedures are more fully described in the co-pending application of Glen E. Arth, David Johnston, and Lewis H. Sarett; Serial Number 642,655; filed September 27, 1957.

The 16,8-methyl steroids used as the starting materials can be prepared in accordance with the following processes:

To a solution of 3a-aoetoxy-16-pregnene-11,20-dione in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and ethyl ether is added diazomethane to produce 3a-acetoxy-16a,17a-rnethyleneazopregnane-l1,20-dione (M.P. 186190 C.) which precipitated from solution. Heating this compound at about 180 C. in vacuo produces 3a-acetoxy-16-methyl-l6-pregnene-11,20-dione (M.P. 165-167 C.) which upon reaction with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sodium hydroxide in methanol solution for 18 hours at room temperature affords 160:,170: epoxy 30c hydroxy 16B methyl pregnane 11,20 dione (M.P. 178-180 C.). When this compound is treated with perchloric acid in aqueous dioxane at 25-30 C. for hours and the resulting reaction mixture is diluted with water a mixture of 3a,17ot dihydroxy-16-methyl-15-pregnene-l1,20-dione and 3a,17a-dihydroxy-l6-methylene-pregnane (M.P. 158- 167 C.) is precipitated and recovered by filtration. Reduction of this mixture with hydrogen in methanol in the presence of palladium-calcium carbonate catalyst affords 'a mixture of 3a,17u-dihydroxy-16or-methyl-pregnane-11,20-dione and 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16,8-methyl-pregnane-11,20-dione sintering at C. Bromination of this mixture with bromine in chloroform at 4045 C. afiords a mixture of 21 bromo 311,17 dihydroxy 16m methylpregnane 11,20 dione and 21-bromo-3a,17-dihydroxy-16/8-methylpregnane-11,20-dione which upon reaction with potassium acetate and potassium iodide in acetone produces a mixture of 3a,17m,21-trihydroxy-16flmethylpregnane-l1,20-dione-21-acetate and 3a,17a,21-trihydroxy-16a-methylpregnane-11,20-dione-21-acetate. To a solution of this mixture in aqueous t-butanol at 10-15 C. is added N-bromosuccinimide to produce a mixture of 1711,21-dihydroxy-16ot-rnethylpregnane-3,11,20-trione- 21-acetate and 17a,21 -dihydroxy-16 3-methylpregnane-3, 11,20-trione-21-acetate which on chromatography on neutralalumina and elution with chloroform-benzene (l: 1) and benzene yields 17a,21-dihydroxy-16B-methy1pregname-3,11,20-trione-21-acetate (M.P. 210-213 C.). Re-

action of this compound with bromine in a mixture of 'acetic acid and chloroform affords the corresponding 4- bromo compound (M.P. -170 C. dec.) which is converted by reaction with semicarbazide to the S-Semicarbatriorie-Zl-acetate.

' mixture of acetic acid and pyruvic acid gives 170:,21-dihydroxy 16;.8-me thyl-4-pregnene-3J1,20-trione-21-acetate (M.P. 226232C.). The 16fl-methyll7a,2l-dihydroxy- 4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione-21-acetate so obtained is then reacted with potassium bicarbonate in aqueous methanol to produce 16;? methyl 17,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3, 11,20-trione. This compound is converted to the corresponding 1,4-pregnadiene compound, 16 8-methyl-17a,21-

dihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione, by reacting it With selenium dioxide in t-butyl alcohol under reflux temperatures for 48 hours.

These processes are'more fully described in the co-pending application of David presence of an acidic catalyst to produce 3-ethylenedioxy-' 170:. 20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-l6a-methyl-5-pregnenell-one. The latter compound is reacted with perbenzoic acid, perphthalic acid and the like, thereby forming 3- ethylenedioxy 17;: 5 20,20 21 bismethylenedioxy 5,6- epoxy-IG -methyI-pregnane-Il-one which is thenrreacted with formic acid to produce a mixture of 17a-20,20-21- vbism ethylenedioxy 16a methyl 6-formyloxy-pregnane- 5-ol-3,1'1-dione and 17a-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-16amethyl-5-formyloxy-pregnane-6-01-3,1 l-dione, which mix ture, upon reaction with an aqueous alkali hydroxide solution, is converted to 17a-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy- 16a-methyl-allopregnane-3,6,1l-trione. The last-named compound is reacted with butanone dioxolane to produce 3 ethylenedioxy 17oz 20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-16amethylallopregnane-6,11-dione Which is reacted with a methyl Grignard reagent to form 3-ethylenedioxy-l7a- 20,20 21 bismethylenedioxy 6a,16a-dimethyl-allopregnane 6,8 ol-l l-one. This 3-ethylenedioxy-17a-20,20-21- bisrnethylenedioxy 6oz 16a-dimethyl-allopregnane-6fl-olll-one is reacted with a dehydrating agent such as thionyl chloride in pyridine to form the corresponding 3-ethylenedioxy 17a-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-6,16a-dimethyl-5- pregnene-l l-one, which, upon reaction with p-toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate in acetone is converted to 170:- 20,20 21-bismethylenedioxy-6a,16a-dimethyl-4-pregnene- 3,11-dione; the latter compound is reacted with an aqueous organic acid hydrolyzing agent to form 6u,16oL-dimethyl-4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione. The 6,16- dimethyl-17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3 ,1 1- dione compounds are contacted with the dehydrogenating activity of a growing culture of Bacillus sphaericus (ATTC-4525) microorganisms, or with selenium dioxide, thereby forming the corresponding 6,16-dimethyl-17-20,- 20-21 bismethylenedioxy 1,4-pregnadiene 3,11 dione compound.

These procedures are described in more complete detail in the co-pending application of Glen E. Arth, Roger B. Beyler, and Lewis H. Sarett; Serial Number 683,923; filed September 16, 1957.

The 2,16-dimethyl steroid starting materials are prepared by reacting a 16-methyl-17-20,202l-bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,1l -dione compound with diethyl oxalte and sodium methyl-ate dissolved in t-butanol and benzene to form a 16-methyl-17-20,20-2l-bisxhethylenedioxy-Z-ethoxyoxaly1-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione. After neutralization of the reaction mixture and recovery of the 2-ethoxyoxalyl product by extraction, the solvent was removed by evaporation and replaced with acetone. To the reaction solution was then added methyl iodide in the presence of potassium bicarbonate to form 2,16-dimethyl-17-20,20-21- bismethylenedioxy-2-ethoxyoxalyl-4-pregnene-3,11- dione which was recovered by removal of the solvent in vacuo and extraction of the residual product with methylene chloride. The methylene chloride was then removed from the product by evaporation, the residue dissolved in methanol and hydrolyzed by treatment of the solution with sodium methylate in methanol for about 6 hours to form 2,16-dimethyl-17-20,20 21 bismethylenedio-xy 4 pregnene-3,l l-dione.

These processes are more fully described in the co pending application of Meyer Sletzinger, Donald Reinhold, and John Chernerda; Serial Number 754,722, filed August 13, 1958.

We claim:

1. The process which comprises intimately contacting 10 a 1 'I-20,20*21 bismethylenedioxys,l'l-diketo steroid of the pregnane series, having the general formula:

O-GH:

wherein R R and R are members selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, A is a carbon to carbon double bond included in the A-ring of the above formula and n is a whole integer varying between the limits of 1 and 2, inclusive, with a metal hyride to form the corresponding 3,11fi-dihydroxy steroid and treating said 3,11,8-dihydroxy steroid with activated manganese dioxide to form a 17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-3-keto-l1-hydroxy steroid of the pregnane series having the general formula;

wherein R R and R are members selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, A is a carbon to carbon double bond included in the A-ring of the above formula and n is a whole integer varying between the limits of 1 and 2, inclusive.

2. The process which comprises intimately contacting 17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy- 4 pregnene 3,11 dione with a metal hydride reducing agent to form 17-20,20-21- bismethylenedioxy-3,11B-dihydroxy-4-pregnene and intimately contacting said 3,1lfi-dihydroxy-4-pregnene with activated manganese dioxide 17-20,20-21-bismethylene-- dioxy-l1B-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one.

3. The process which comprises intimately contacting, 16a-methyl-17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene- 3,, ll-dione with a metal hydride to form the corresponding- 3,llfi-dihydroxy-4-pregnene and intimately contacting: said 3,11fi-dihydroxy-4-pregnene with activated manganese dioxide to form 16a-methyl-17-20,20-2l-bismethyl-- enedioxy-l 1p-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one.

4. Therprocess which comprises intimately contacting; 16/3-methyl-l7-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene 3,. ll-dione with a metal hydride to form the corresponding: 3,11fl'dihydroxy-4-pregnene and intimately contacting,

said 3,11p-dihydroxy-4-pregnene with activated manganese:

dioxide to form 1G/B-methyl-17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-l 1fi-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one.

5. The process which comprises intimately contacting a 17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-3,11p dihydroxy steroid of the pregnane series, having the general formula;

CH: H0 I R: Br 1 HO 7 wherein R R and R are members selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, A is a carbon to carbondouble bond included in the A-ring of the above formula-and n'is a whole integer varying between the limits of l and 2, inclusive. 6.- The process which comprises intimately contacting 17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-3,1lfi-dihydroxy 4 -pregnene with activated manganese dioxide to form 17-20,20- 21-bismethylenedioxy-1 1 fi-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3 -one. -7.'The process which comprises intimately contacting 16a-methyl-l7-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy 3,11/8 dihydroxy-4-pregnene with activated manganese dioxide to form l6a-methyl-17-20,20-21-bismethylenedioxy-115 hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one.

8. The process which comprises intimately contacting 16/3-methyl-17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy 3,116 dihy droxy-4-pregnene with activated manganese dioxide to form 16fi methyl-17-20,20-2l-bismethylenedioxy-l 1p hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,739,974 Colton Mar. 27, 1956 2,842,542 'Beal July 8, 1958 2,843,609 Colton July 15, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES Fieser and Fieser: Natural Products Related to Phenanthrene, 3rd edition (1949), page 410. 

1. THE PROCESS WHICH COMPRISES INTIMATELY CONTACTING A 17-20,20-21-BISMETHYLENEDIOXY-3,11-DIKETO STEROID THE PREGNANE SERIES, HAVING THE GENERAL FORMULA: 